AMTA to Commit $2.5 Million in Funding to the MTF for Massage Therapy Research

Posted:Tuesday, January 28, 2025

MTF Announces a $2.5 Million Commitment from AMTA
for Massage Therapy Research

For 35 years, the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) have united in a shared mission to elevate massage therapy through groundbreaking research. As our sustaining benefactor, AMTA has been deeply committed to MTF, playing a critical role in strengthening research and the programmatic activities that benefit the entire massage therapy profession.

Over the last decade, challenges within the massage profession and the charitable nonprofit sector have resulted in reduced corporate support and individual donations for the Foundation. Those challenges were further compounded by the effects of the pandemic on our profession.

To uphold our mission and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Foundation, a restructuring of our organization was necessary. AMTA is focused on ensuring that we have the funding and resources to continue to advance high-quality scientific research, education, and community service. This restructuring will empower MTF to amplify our positive impact throughout the entire massage field.

As part of a renewed commitment to research, MTF is pleased to announce that AMTA will designate $2.5 million over the next five years to directly fund research activities that will benefit the whole profession. This commitment means more money will be invested in research over the next five years than the previous 35 years since the MTF began in 1990.

“For 35 years, the Massage Therapy Foundation has aimed to make massage therapy evidence-informed and accessible to everyone. The deepening of MTF’s partnership with AMTA positions us to amplify our vision and strengthen our reach for substantial impact on the massage profession now and in the future,” said Adrienne Asta, Massage Therapy Foundation President.

“AMTA has always believed in the mission of the Massage Therapy Foundation; and as the largest and only nonprofit association in the profession, AMTA will lead by example and let our actions speak to our commitment to advancing massage therapy research,” said Kim Kane-Santos, AMTA National President.

MTF and AMTA are proud to work together to drive forward research, innovation, and the growth of the massage therapy profession as a whole, inspiring a bright future for practitioners and clients alike.